Dubai New Year Fireworks Record: All You Need to Know

Spectacular New Year in Dubai with the world's largest display of fireworks

ByNazia KhanWednesday , 01 January 2014

Dubai's a world record holder again, this time with the largest fireworks display ever on New Year’s Eve.

Though Dubai’s spectacular fireworks display at the Palm and World Island was delayed by about 30 minutes due to wind conditions, when it did begin at 12.30am, it was spectacular. More than 400,000 fireworks went off in the area, lighting up everything in sight and looking mind-blowingly amazing!

Earlier, at 12 am, the Burj Khalifa lit up with a super-bright display of fireworks and about 10 minutes later it was the Burj Al Arab’s turn to dazzle in a five minute firework display.

WHEREPalm Jumeirah and The World Islands were the centre of the fireworks display, 400 locations around the islands were picked to launch the extravaganza.

WHO MADE IT HAPPENUS-based firm Fireworks by Grucci (who also designed the fireworks display for Atlantis' launch in 2008) were the people behind the pyro-power.

HOWIn six minutes, 400,000 shots of fireworks went off spread across 100kms, synchronised with music. Plus, seven 660mm shells were used to fire the main rounds of fireworks, each shot spreading over 700mtrs wide.

PREPIt's taken nine months to put it all together. Overall, 450,000 shells were prepared and mounted on more than 60 heavy trailers. These were placed at spots in Palm Jumeirah and The World, on land and on water, using floating platoons.

THE SHOWThings kicked off with a 'Flying Falcon’ doing rounds of The World islands. Elements also included a 225mtr wide and 130mtr high UAE flag and the representation of the sunrise towards the end.

EARLIER RECORDKuwait holds the earlier world record for largest display of fireworks. The record was created in 2012, when to celebrate their 50th national day, 77,282 shots of fireworks were spread across five kilometres, lasting 64 minutes.

DUBAI'S RECORD CONFIRMATIONGuinness World Record officials were in Dubai for the show. The record was broken in 60 seconds but the show lasted six minutes as Guinness Records' criteria requires it to last for at least five minutes to qualify for the world record.